Social Policy Health And Welfare Analysis

Running head: SOCIAL POLICY, HEALTH AND WELFARE
Social policy, health and welfare
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Brief background of diabetes
The chronic disorder which impedes the ability of the body to produce and further
utilize insulin is diabetes mellitus. Inability of the body to produce the hormone makes the
body susceptible to a higher level of blood glucose which can subsequently lead to chronic
complications such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure,
nerve damage, and vascular disease and foot problems (Kramers et al. 2015). It is nearly
impossible to determine the exact number of individuals who have been diagnosed with
diabetes, but it can be estimated that around 1.1 million are present (Handley et al. 2016). In
this case, it is needed for us to initiate an awareness of masses of the requirement of a
nutritious diet devoid of food contents containing high sugar and imbibe an exercise program
to alleviate the risk of obesity among the young population. Hence, for the effective decrease
in the prevalent rate of diabetes, proper exercise regimens and nutritional improvement
should be designed (Chen et al. 2015). It is observed that the individuals who are at risk of
developing diabetes have lower incidence of exercise in their daily lives and inculcate junk
foods due to shortage of times in their lives.
Epidemiological profile
One of the biggest challenges of the healthcare system in Australia is the prevalence
rate diabetes among the population of the country. It is briefly described as the epidemic of
the 21st century. Individuals of all ages are at risk of being diagnosed with diabetes form
which around 100,000 individuals have been detected to suffer from diabetes in the past year.
It is a fastest growing serious condition that is experienced by the individuals other than
cancer and chronic heart diseases. The type 1 diabetes is accounted for at least ten percent of
the whole population and is increasing in an exponential rate (Magliano et al. 2015). In
addition, type 2 diabetes have been accounted for at least eighty-five percent of the all the
population diagnosed with diabetes and also increasing in an exponential manner. In the year
2017-18, six percent of Australians over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with three forms
of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It is since the year 2001, a doubled rate of
3.3 percent among the population aged over 18 years have been observed. In the report
structured in 2017-18, the incidence rate of diabetes was observed more in men than women.
In addition, individuals up to the age of 75 have been reported to be diagnosed with diabetes
as three times higher than individuals of age 45-54.
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Three main issues
One of the main issues which are to be experienced by individuals suffering from
diabetes mellitus is the leading incidence rate of obesity. It is one of the primary issues which
places the individual in high risk of suffering from other chronic illnesses. Many researchers
have studied the relationship between obesity and the incidence rate of diabetes among the
individuals. It has been believed by researchers that one of the key players in the
development of diabetes is obesity (Zimmet et al. 2016). In the survey released by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Health Survey, two third populations of adults in
Australia were detected to be overweight in 2017-18. In addition, the survey also showed that
one quarter of children aged between 5 to 17 years are obese. When an individual is found to
be obese, their risk of developing hypertension and diabetes is higher. In addition, the above
mentioned conditions are intertwined with the prevalence and development of chronic heart
conditions.
In addition to the above mentioned issue, another problem which surfaces is the
prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers among diabetes patients. When the body of the individual
loses the ability to produce insulin and have diets which are generally restricted for them, the
blood glucose levels are bound to increase and reach a level which is abnormal. It is through
the mismanagement of the cuts that the individual may experience foot ulcers which may turn
critical and even result in death. Moreover, people who have been detected with diabetes are
at an increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). 23 percent of the
individuals who are diabetic have a likelihood of developing CKD in Australia which is
aimed to reduce with medication therapy (Tziomalos and Athyros 2015). It is possible that
the kidney filters could be damaged because of high blood glucose levels which may, in turn,
lead to chronic kidney diseases and diabetic nephropathy.
Risks and benefits
For the appropriate designing of the intervention for the young population of
Australia, it is critical to observe their lifestyle choices such that an efficient intervention
could lead to desired outcomes. Upon assessing the condition of the population by the means
of statistics by Australian Bureau, physical activity and diet management of the individuals is
one of the major interventions that are to be administered to the people. The primary goal of
the intervention is to limit the consumption of food items which are observed to be high in
sugar content and incorporate certain exercise programs for the elimination of risk of obesity
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